Dying my own yarn!

So, I thought I should get back into my grove and share my yarn experiences.

Today I finished up a ball of yarn. It is dried and already on my needles this morning after chores. :)

I think pictures would make for a better story!

Used Kool-Aid and Pals Easter Egg dying kit. Very easy and fun!


All dried and waiting to be used!


Makes a very pretty ball of yarn!

Learning

Holy cow!!! I learned it. I know I took the class and all about 6 months ago, but I finally learned it and how it works. What's that you ask? I learned magic loop knitting. You know with one long circular needle instead of double points?! Well, I was making some uber cute longies for a friend who is expecting and deserves these like nobody else and it finally "clicked" in my head. Not only did I learn how to do magic loop, but I figured out/learned how to do two at a time right after. Way cool and makes it go so much faster. Maybe not faster, but I like being able to do the legs two at a time.

Yay!

Looking Ahead.

So, I finished everything Brandon needed for hunting and he brought us home tons of meat. It was great! The downside is after I tackled those heavy duty wool pants I was done and needed a break from sewing. Don't get me wrong, I've been knitting away like a mad woman, but I need to get my sewing done too. I made a purse since then for a swap and that's been it, in the last two weeks. I did make each of the kiddos a pair of clogs as well as myself. Yeah!

So, Caleb really wants to have a huge birthday party but with a birthday just days before Christmas I fear there would be few who showed up even after inviting his entire class. I just don't see many families having free time the Saturday before Christmas to run their kids to a party and then to pick them up and shop for an additional gift. I know as a parent I would probably pass on that party. Ack! Anyway, now I need something exciting for Caleb so he gives up on the party. He wants a DS thingy, I don't know what all it does, but it's about $200. Now before I get my panties in a twist I looked at the cost of a party anywhere except here and whoa! Expensive!!! So it makes the $200 DS look much cheaper. I feel bad buying him off though. Ack!

Anyway, I've got some fun ideas for Christmas and now I need to get moving!!! WooHoo!

Wallet!

After I made my list and was downstairs looking at my fabric when I decided to look for a pattern for a wallet. This might help me use up some of my fabric stash and be perfect for my brother and other boys on my list. So I found a few patterns but nothing really struck me as awesome, until I ran across this http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/07/sewing-trifold-floral-wallet-tutorial-pattern.html. At first I wasn't impressed because I'm not really thrilled with that kind of thing, but with some adaptions and some creativity I came up with my own.

Inside. (It even fits a standard credit card!!!)

All folded up. You can kind of see the zipper with a pocket on the other side.

Caleb just had to model it for me and since he is so cute, here is the picture.

I think my brother will like it. He likes orange and skulls and plays the guitar. I assume he needs a wallet and I thought I put some $$ in there for him to buy his own gift. Now I need one more present for his birthday.

Adding to list!!!

Adding to list? Yes I am!!!

Grandma
Large size rag quilt

Mom and Dad
Purse/Wallet
Truck cover

Friends
5 purses
6 draw string bag things

Guess I better get downstairs and get sewing.

To do list!

Okay, so awhile back I posted my to do list, maybe a month ago. I don't remember what was on it but I think it was before we decided to do a handmade Christmas. Anyway, I want to put on here what I need to get done yet and what I have done already.

Caleb
1 bigger quilt
1 small lap quilt
Done! 5 -6- boxers
pencil case
lunch money wrist band
Done! Bag for winter clothes going back and forth to school
Draw sting backpack bag
Sleeping bag type thing, I have an idea
2 pair of fleece pjs
Done! Knit sweater

Joel
1 big quilt
Done! 1 small Thomas quilt
Done! 6 underwear
Thomas pillow or pillow case
Thomas crayon/color pencil roll up case
2 pair fleece pjs
Sleeping bag type thing
Knit Thoams hat
Knit sweater

Hubby (He needs some of his by Thanksgiving!)
Done! Wool pants
Done! Shooting mittens
6 boxers
Done! Cotton gun case

Daniel-(brother)
Pencil case
Done! Wallet
Denim quilt?? Not attempting this year.

It's Been Awhile!

Okay so first let me say since this was my knitting or rather crafting blog that I learned how to do intarsia yesterday. I paid for a lesson with a very awesome lady and it was well worth it. She helped me pick out yarn and get me started and show me what to do where. I'm so excited! Without buying commercial stuff for Christmas I needed to know intarsia to make a Thomas sweater for Joel. Yeah!!

I have the paper for the advent calendar this year. I'm excited to get that going.

I finished my messenger bag and some hunting/shooting mittens for Brandon. Yeah!

The other day I got an amzing swap package. I love swapping on Ravelry.

I got some fun yarn online that looked fun and now I don't know what to do with. Isn't it pretty?

Now, all I need to do is figure out what I need to make my parents and brother for Christmas. Those 3 are a bit more difficult. I have one idea though.